Pianissimo device for piano-actions



PATENTED SEPT, 20, 1904.

F. BNGELHARDT. 'PIANISSIMO DEVICE FOR PIANO ACTIONS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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W w W UNTTED STATES Patented September 20, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

PIANISSIMO DEVICE FOR PIANO-ACTIONS- SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,568, ed September 20, 1904.

Application filed July 22, 1904.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERIoK ENGEL- HARDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pianissimo Devices for Piano-Actions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a pianissimo device for piano-actions which is simple of constructi on, is readily accessible, and permits of ready adjustment.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a side view of an upright-piano action embodying my invention and showing the parts in their normal position; Fig. 2, a side view of the lower portion of the action, showing the position of the parts when the soft pedal is depressed; Fig. 3, a detail of the frame for supporting the hanger; Fig. A, a front view of the elbow-lever. Figs. 5 and 6 are details of the transverse rod, and Fig. 7 a detail of a modification of the finger pivoted to the elbow-lever.

The letter (Z represents the key of a pianoaction, and Z is the capstan. To a flange 0 of action-rail c is fulcrumed at (Z an elbow-lever (Z, having a forwardly-extending cushioned foot (Z This foot rests upon the capstanb and is adapted to support the lower end of the abstract 0, the upper end of which is pivoted at f to the wippen f. At its angle the elbow-lever (Z is grooved, as at (Z to receive the rear end of a finger g, pivoted to the lever (Z at g. The finger g is by pivot 9 also connected to the abstract 0 and rests with its front cushioned end upon a transverse rod it. This rod is operatively connected to the hammer-rail i in such a manner as to rise and fall therewith, and to thus swing the finger g upon its fulcrum As shown, the rod /z is perforated transversely and mounted adjustably upon a pair of arms 1', fulcrumed to actionframe A at f. Set-screws f, Fig. 5, permit the rod h to be clamped to arms j after being adjusted. Through an upright perforation of rod h extends a hanger 70, suspended at its Serial No. 217,614.. (No model.)

upper headed'end from a bent perforated frame Z. This frame is provided with a slot Z, engaged by a set-screw m for connecting the frame adjustably to the hammer-rail In this way the frame Z, together with the upper end of hanger 75, may be adjusted backward and forward. The lower end of hanger Z0 is threaded and carries a nut 02, which supports a c0ni form leather washer n, countersunk into lower side of rod 71, Fig. 6. By manipulating the nut 72 the elevation of the rod It may be readily adjusted.

The operation will be readily understood. Normally the capstan Z transmits the motion of the key through lever-foot (Z directly to abstract 0 and thence to the wippen f, Fig. 1. When the soft pedal (not shown) is depressed, it will by lifter 0 raise hammer-railz', and the latter will by frame Z and hanger 7c correspondingly elevate rod h. The rod it will raise the forward end of finger g to lift abstract c oif lever-foot (Z and correspondingly increase the reach of the action. Motion will now be transmitted from capstan 6, through lever (Z, fulcrum g, finger g, pivot 9 and abstract 0, to the wippen.

In Fig. 7 the finger g does not rest directly upon the transverse rod h, but is provided with a cushioned set-screw 1), that engages the rod. By this construction the reach of every single key may be separately adjusted.

hat I claim is- 1. A pianissimo device for piano-actions composed of a key, a capstan, an elbow-lever having a foot that is supported upon the capstan, and a finger pivoted to the elbow-lever and operatively connected to the action, substantially as specified.

2. A pianissimo device for piano-actions composed of a key, a capstan, an elbow-lever having a foot that is supported upon the capstan, a finger pivoted to the elbow-lever, an

abstract pivoted to the finger, and means for operating the finger, substantially as specified.

3. A pianissimo device for piano-actions composed of a key, a capstan, an elbow-lever 7 having a foot that is supported upon the cap- Signed by me at New York city, (Manhatstan, afingerpivoted tothe elbow-lever, an abtan,) New York, this 21st day of July, 1904:.

stract pivoted to the finger, a transverse rod engaging the finger, a hammer-rail, and a hanger FREDERICK ENGELHARDT' 5 Which is adjustably secured to the hammer- Witnesses:

rail and to the transverse rod, substantially WILLIAM SOHULZ,

as specified. FRANK v. BRIESEN. 

